Weds., Feb. 11, 2009, Nashville, TN., 4:00 p.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Louie here.  Now that the bad weather has finally migrated on east of here, we can all finally relax.  The hospital just cancelled the "Code:  Black", which is what they use during any bad weather (that or "Code:  Grey").

We could hear the wind, rain, and hail outside; thank God the power held.  Didn't even do as much as much of a flicker, which has been nothing short of miraculous!  And no damage to our building, although some minor flooding has occurred by the emergency room.  Nobody has been brought in on account of the recent bout of weather, so that's good, too. 

At least, so far.

Besides, I have been working in the Intensive Care unit.  We are taking care of some storm victims from a tornado that hit late last night on the Tennessee/Arkansas border; I am taking care of a woman from a small town in nothern Arkansas who suffered a fractured arm and back, as well as a bruised liver and other bumps and bruises.  She's going to be okay, but she's had to be tied down:  she's tried to pull out her tubes more than once. 

The storms didn't help today.  My poor patient in the ICU (her name is LaShawn) had to be given a sedative; she was wigging out big time.  She's now sleeping like a baby; or was, when I'd left her when the "Code: Black" was called.

I'm now on a half hour break.  I'm in my office, unwinding from the nerves of the weather outside.  It's really black outside to the east; I pray those who are in the storm's path east of here get to safety!  I will have to pray a special prayer of God's protection upon them and their property!

I have on my Jimmy C. Newman CD; to hear his beautiful tenor voice puts my mind at ease, as does the fiddle-and-accordion-laced instrumentation.  Oh, how I wish I were in Louisiana about now; I miss the Cajun people and especially the food!  Guess I am going to have to make some crawfish and ham jambalaya once I get home (that is, if Bill hasn't cooked yet or ordered take-out)!  LOL

I just hope Bill and the kiddoes got to the storm shelter once the tornado sirens (and Johnny's weather radio) went off.  Knowing them, they probably did, and knowing Johnny, he probably wanted to watch the twisting, roiling black skies!  LOL

Then there's Ronee', who was probably wailing, "Make it stawwwwwp!!"  LOL  She does NOT like storms at all!

I am looking forward to next weekend:  we're going to the Grand Ole Opry next Friday and Saturday.  On Friday, Johnny and Ronee' will be performing during Jimmy C. Newman's portion, and on Saturday, we'll just be going to the regular performance.  So a double treat to anticipate!  I hope Johnny and Ronee' do well at the Opry; they'll probably be a little nervous by the time the day gets closer; they always are!

The last time we went to the Opry was during the Birthday Celebration last fall (October).  We don't go to the Opry nearly as much as we used to; too expensive, for one thing, even with group rate.  We've had to save some extra money in our Opry fund, so we could go.  And we ordered our tickets last October, four months ago.

They finally came in the mail, which is why we're going next weekend.

I just feel sorry for the people in Oklahoma.  They got hit yesterday by the storms that hit us just a while ago; eight people were killed, and dozens were injured (some seriously).  I will have to say some extra prayers for them, that God gets them through this uncertain, frightening period in their lives.

We are now currently under a tornado watch (until six, a little under an hour and a half from now), but I feel it will be cancelled soon; the skies are clearing to the west.  It is windy, though, with winds gusting as high as fifty at times; it should slow down considerably once the skies clear. 

I heard from Kat Hammer in Fairbanks, Alaska:  she is excited; the weather is supposed to warm up to five degrees above zero by the weekend. 

Wheeee!  LOL

If that's warm, then I'll eat my shorts!  LOL

I will have to write to her, see if I can package up some of this Tennessee warmth we have.  The temperatures got to the upper sixties today before the storms rolled through; now it's in the lower fifties, which would still probably feel wonderful to her subzero readings!

 I also have to write to Gayle Richardson, the young mother who lost her only child to anencephaly a year ago.  She's been very depressed, having a hard time trying to move on.  I sent her a copy of my book, but don't know if she got it yet.  I will have to check up on her, to make sure she's okay.

In addition, I have to write to Sarah Rebecca Probst as well, who lives in Iowa.  She wrote to me; I haven't written back to her; she must think I'm a terrible person for not answering.

Well, I have good reason:  I have my village to raise!  LOL  I also have to take care of my husband, my elderly parents, and take care of the house, plus work full time on top of that!  Then people wonder why I do most of my writing late at night, when everyone's in bed, or on the weekends, if I can snatch some time away from my family duties! 

Go figure!  LOL

Whoopsie!  I just looked at the clock on the wall; time for me to go back to work!  Breaktime's over!  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is your friend, Louie, saying so long util another day!  Take care, and may God bless you mightily!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louisiana Mayrah Sandusky.  :D